Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.

Visit the websites for Badan Geologi (Indonesian Geological Agency, Indonesian language only) and Badan Nasional Penaggulangan Bencana (National Board for Disaster Management) for the latest information from the Government of Indonesia on current natural disasters.

U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

Central Sulawesi and Papua

Shootings continue to occur in the area between Timika and Grasberg in Papua. In Central Sulawesi and Papua, violent demonstrations and conflict could result in injury or death to U.S. citizens. Avoid demonstrations and crowds.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Central Sulawesi and Papua as U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization before traveling to those areas.

Your passport must have at least two blank pages and be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your arrival in Indonesia. If your passport does not meet these requirements, you will be denied entry into Indonesia. The Government of Indonesia does not recognize the 12-page U.S. emergency passport, issued by U.S. embassies and consulates overseas, as a valid travel document for visa-free travel, and, if traveling on this emergency passport, you may be refused boarding and/or entry by immigration officials. If you travel on a limited validity passport, such as an emergency passport, you must obtain a visa prior to arriving in Indonesia.

If you are traveling on a full-validity passport, there are three ways to enter Indonesia:

Visa Exemption: This is a no-fee stamp placed in your passport upon arrival for tourists staying less than 30 days; no extensions are allowed and no adjustment to another visa status permitted. You must enter and exit through an immigration checkpoint at major airports and seaports. You also must have a return or onward ticket to another country and have not been previously refused entry to Indonesia or blacklisted.

Visa-on-Arrival: This is a $35 USD visa issued upon arrival valid for up to 30 days for tourism, family visitation, and other purposes. See the Indonesian Immigration’s website for more information. You may extend a Visa-on-Arrival one time for a maximum of 30 additional days, for another $35 USD. Diplomatic or official passport holders cannot apply for Visa-on-Arrival.

Visa in advance: Travel for more than 30 days or travel for non-tourism purposes, including business, employment and journalism, requires that the appropriate visa be obtained from an Indonesian embassy or consulate before arrival. If you are traveling on an emergency passport, you must obtain a visa before arrival in Indonesia.

Entry requirements are subject to change at the discretion of Indonesian immigration authorities. If you overstay your visa, you are subject to a fine of 350,000 Indonesian rupiah (about $25 USD at current exchange rates; fees may change at any time) per day and may be detained and deported. U.S. citizens have been jailed for visa overstays or entering the country on the wrong visa class for their purpose of travel. Travelers coming to Indonesia for non-tourism purposes are strongly encouraged to consult Indonesian Immigration’s website.

While you are in Indonesia, always carry your passport, valid visa, and work or resident permit, if applicable. Immigration authorities may request that foreigners present their travel documents during routine inspections of apartment buildings, other residential areas, or offices. Travelers have been detained for questioning for not having their passports with them.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors or foreign residents in Indonesia. The Indonesian government screens incoming passengers in response to reported outbreaks of pandemic illnesses.

Since 2002, Indonesian police and security forces have disrupted a number of terrorist cells. Although extremists in Indonesia continue to aspire to carry out violent attacks against Indonesian and Western targets, police have arrested more than 1,700 individuals on terrorism-related charges since 2002 and have greatly reduced the capacity of domestic terrorist organizations. Extremists may target both official and private establishments, including hotels, bars, nightclubs, shopping areas, restaurants, and places of worship. Whether at work, pursuing daily activities, or traveling, you should be aware of your personal safety and security at all times.

Recent incidents of extremist violence include the May 2018 bomb attacks against three churches in Surabaya that killed 15 civilians and injured 50 more, and an attack in January 14, 2016, by terrorists using guns and explosives attacked near the Sarinah Plaza in Central Jakarta, which killed four civilians, including one foreigner, and injured 17 others. In 2002, more than 200 foreign tourists and Indonesian citizens were killed by a bomb in Bali’s nightclub district.

Demonstrations are very common in Jakarta, Surabaya, and other large cities, but less common in Bali. You should avoid demonstrations and other mass gatherings, since even those intended to be peaceful can become violent. Demonstrations may become more frequent ahead of the Indonesian general elections scheduled for April 2019.

Currently, travel by U.S. government personnel to the provinces of Central Sulawesi and Papua is restricted to mission-essential travel that is approved in advance by the Embassy security office.

Crime: Pick-pocketing, theft, armed car-jacking, and residential break-ins are common. Avoid travelling to isolated areas late at night. Beware of your surroundings, particularly vehicles or individuals that might be following you.

Use a reputable taxi company or hire a taxi either at a major hotel or shopping center. Travelers have been robbed in taxis that have been painted to look like legitimate taxis.

Credit card fraud is a serious and growing problem in Indonesia. Avoid using credit cards when possible. Criminals have “skimmed” credit/debit cards to access and drain bank accounts. Use an ATM in a secure location and check the machine for evidence of tampering. Monitor your account statements regularly.

Tourists and Indonesians have suffered from serious illness and have even died from "drink-spiking” and drink poisoning incidents, particularly in clubs and nightspots in urban and tourist areas.

Victims of Crime: Victims of sexual assault should seek prompt medical assistance, contact the Embassy, and call the local police at 112. For a criminal investigation to be initiated by the police, the victim must make a full statement to the local police, in person.

Criminal Penalties: All foreign nationals in Indonesia are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.Criminal cases can take months or even years to resolve, and suspects can be held without charges for up to 60 days, and in many cases longer. If you are convicted of possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs in Indonesia, you may be subject to heavy fines, long jail sentences, and even the death penalty. Indonesian prison conditions are harsh and do not meet Western standards. Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

LGBTI Travelers: LGBTI status or conduct is not formally illegal, but local authorities sometimes take legal action against, or tolerate harassment of people engaging in LGBTI relationships or openly expressing LGBTI identity. Some local governments have passed laws criminalizing LGBTI relationships. Foreign same-sex marriages or civil unions are not recognized as legally valid. See our LGBTI Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details.

Sharia Law: Sharia law is enforced in Aceh and may exist unofficially or through local legislation in other areas. The law is intended for Muslims and should not apply to non-Muslims or foreign visitors. You should be respectful of local traditions, dress modestly, and seek guidance from local police if confronted by Sharia authorities.

Earthquakes and Tsunamis: There are approximately 4,000 earthquakes per year in Indonesia, or more than 10 per day on average. While most earthquakes are mild, some cause significant destruction and can trigger tsunamis. Tsunami warning systems may not be operable or reports of tremors and tsunamis may be delayed. Local construction standards are lower than in the United States, and many structures including hotels and malls are prone to damage or collapse in an earthquake. Access to disaster-affected areas is often difficult and assistance from the U.S. Embassy may be limited.

Environmental Quality: Air quality in Indonesia’s major cities can range from "unhealthy for sensitive groups" to "unhealthy." Current air quality data for Jakarta can be found on the Embassy’s Air Quality page. Tap water is not potable throughout Indonesia.

Papua and Central Sulawesi: All travelers to Papua and West Papua provinces (including Raja Ampat) and Poso in Central Sulawesi province must obtain a travel permit (surat jalan) from the Indonesian government.

Mountain Hiking: When hiking in mountainous areas, obtain current information on local conditions, travel with a reputable guide, have overseas medical insurance, and carry a local mobile phone. Hikers on Puncak Jaya in Papua should have realistic primary and backup plans for climbing down the mountain. Tour operators have abandoned climbers. Taking shortcuts through private property is considered trespassing and is not a safe or legal alternative to a proper plan. If possible, ensure your hiking plans are registered and known to local authorities and/or tourism operators, as this helps identify your presence in these areas in the event of an emergency

Dual Nationality: Indonesian law does not recognize dual nationality for adults over 18 years of age. U.S. citizens who are also Indonesian nationals may experience immigration difficulties in Indonesia. Please visit our Dual Nationality page.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance:Persons with disabilities will face severe difficulties in Indonesia as most public places and transportation facilities do not accommodate disabled people.

Medical Facilities: Sanitation and health care conditions in Indonesia are far below U.S. standards. Routine medical care is available in all major cities, although most expatriates leave the country for all but the most basic medical procedures. Psychological and psychiatric services are limited throughout Indonesia. Physicians and hospitals often expect payment or sizable deposits before providing medical care, even in emergency and/or life threatening situations. See our Embassy's website for a list of English-speaking doctors and hospitals, but keep in mind that even in large cities the quality of English-speaking medical personnel will vary and there are often communication difficulties. In remote areas there may be no English-speaking medical personnel.

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that the U.S. Embassy does not pay medical bills and Medicare does not apply overseas.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation, which can exceed $100,000 per person.

Always carry prescription medication in their original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. Be aware that Indonesian authorities may consider some prescription drugs as illegal narcotics. The government does not publish a list of which pharmaceuticals are considered contraband, and these decisions may be arbitrary.

Local pharmacies carry a range of products of variable quality, availability, and cost. Counterfeit pharmaceuticals are a significant risk; patronize only reputable pharmacies.

Road Conditions and Safety:Traffic in Indonesia is hazardous, congested, and undisciplined. Traffic signals are frequently ignored and often in disrepair. Motor vehicles share the roads with other forms of transportation such as pedicabs and pushcarts. Buses and trucks are often dangerously overloaded and travel at high speeds. Accidents between a car and a motorcycle are invariably viewed as the fault of the driver of the car. Consider these risks before driving your own vehicle, especially if you are unaccustomed to Indonesian road conditions. When an accident results in personal injury, Indonesian law requires both drivers to await the arrival of a police officer to report the accident.

Public Transportation:Air, ferry, and road accidents that result in fatalities, injuries, and significant damage are common. While all forms of transportation are regulated in Indonesia, oversight is spotty, maintenance may not be properly performed, and rescue and emergency capacity is limited. Indonesia has experienced several fatal plane crashes and non-fatal runway overruns in recent years. Also in recent years, several ferry accidents and a train collision resulted in dozens of fatalities and even more injuries because of over-crowding and unsafe conditions.

Aviation Safety Oversight:The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Indonesia’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA's safety assessment page.

Since 2014, a number of private pilots have inadvertently crossed into Indonesian airspace and have been detained and paid heavy fines. If you intend to fly on private aircraft through Indonesian airspace, get correct clearances from Indonesian aviation authorities before you depart.

Maritime Safety and Security: Inter-island travel by boat or ferry can be dangerous: storms can appear quickly, vessels may be over-crowded and lack basic safety equipment, and safety standards vary between providers. A number of ferries have sunk, resulting in loss of life. The Indonesian Search and Rescue Agency records boat and ferry accidents resulting in injuries and deaths, yearly. Make sure you are satisfied with safety standards before travelling, including safety equipment and life jackets.

Piracy: Maritime piracy and other related crimes in and around Indonesian waters continue. Recent reports include thefts of valuables or cargo from boats that are in port and out at sea. Before traveling by sea, especially in the Strait of Malacca between Riau Province and Singapore, and in the waters north of Sulawesi and Kalimantan, review the current security situation with local authorities. Be vigilant, reduce opportunities for theft, establish secure areas on board, and report all incidents to the coastal and flag state authorities.

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